Reduction in polystyrene with activated agent

Abstract

This invention is a method to speed up and prevent inconsistent rates of reaction in the reduction of volume of polystyrene foam products by the application of a liquid and vapors of a terpine or isoprenoid compound where a heat activation within 90 days of the use provides maximum reactivity. In one embodiment the process is localized by the addition of heaters in the processing vessels or tanks to insure active agent form of d-limonene reduction agent.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method to reduce volume of polystyrene foams where foam products are subject to the vapor of terpenes in an enclosed area for a period of time until they are reduced to a viscous fluid, said terpenes being heat treated within the previous 90 days to activate them. 
     
     
       2. The method in 1 where said polystyrene foams are reduced in volume by the effect of sprayed liquids containing terpenes in addition to said vapors. 
     
     
       3. The method in 1 where said terpenes consist primarily of d-limonene. 
     
     
       4. The method in 2 where said terpenes consist primarily of d-limonene. 
     
     
       5. The method in 1 where said enclosed area is a plastic bag. 
     
     
       6. The method in 2 where said enclosed area is a plastic bag. 
     
     
       7. The method in 2 where a tank is used to store polystyrene foam products and said terpene material is introduced into said tank, and a heater within said tank activates the terpene materials by heating them to their boiling point. 
     
     
       8. The method in 2 where a tank equipped to spray a terpene material onto polystyrene foam products inside a tank which contains the vapors of the terpene. 
     
     
       9. The method in 8 where said terpene is D-limonene which has been activated by heating to its boiling point within the previous 90 days. 
     
     
       10. The method in 1 where said terpene is an isoprenoid compound or an oxygenated isoprenoid compound. 
     
     
       11. A system to reduce the volume of polystyrene foams wherein said polystyrene foams are exposed to vapors of d-limonene over an extended period in a container which prevents escape of said vapors and where a heater heats vapors of said d-limonene. 
     
     
       12. The system in 11 where said vapors are contained in a tank or vessel which has ports for addition of polystyrene foams, for addition of D-limonene, and for withdrawal of dissolved polystyrene resins. 
     
     
       13. The system in 12 where said vapors arise from a combination of a spray of the liquid d-limonene and vapors transported from a second tank, said transported vapors heated to the boiling temperature to activate them, and the polystyrene foam in its reduced state is withdrawn by flow to said second tank.